Prices and budgets
Last updated: November 2026
Publishing a book costs anywhere from almost nothing on a do-it-yourself platform to over $80,000 for a large hybrid package, depending on how much help you buy.
For most professionals the real question is which costs buy a better book and a better launch. This page collects published price figures, explains what raises and lowers the price, and gives you a worksheet to see when the book pays for itself.
It depends on how much support is included. At Defining Moments Press, the self-paced Author Blueprint 8-week program, which includes templates, a step-by-step process and unlimited email support, was listed at a single payment of $1,997. Prices for its coached and done-for-you services are not published, so ask for a quote on the free discovery call.
| Cost item | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Draft2Digital account fees | $20 one-time activation, $12 a year for accounts earning under $100 | Elanders Americas |
| Professional editing | $2,160 to $5,040 | Reedsy 2026 cost guide, via Elanders Americas |
| Author Blueprint 8-week program | $1,997 single payment | Defining Moments Press checkout page |
| Atmosphere Press hybrid packages | $7,200 to $14,700 | Atmosphere Press |
| Hybrid publishing in general | $5,000 to over $80,000 | Atmosphere Press |
| Publishing path | How it works | Rights and royalties | Published cost figure | Support included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defining Moments Press (publisher's pick) | Coaching plus self-publishing partner for nonfiction | Author keeps all rights and royalties | Author Blueprint listed at $1,997 one payment; other services quoted on a call | Writing course, coaching, design, launch, speaking route |
| Do-it-yourself platform | You upload and publish the files yourself | Author keeps rights; up to 70% ebook royalties (Writer Cosmos) | Often free to upload; you pay for any editing and design you hire | Mostly self-directed |
| Hybrid publisher | Author pays for a publishing package | Varies; Atmosphere Press lists 90% royalties | $5,000 to over $80,000 typical range (Atmosphere Press) | Depends on the package bought |
| Traditional publisher | Publisher buys the rights, usually through an agent | Publisher holds rights; author earns a royalty | No upfront fee to the author | Editing and distribution handled by the publisher |
Use this worksheet to estimate how many copies, or how many new clients, would cover what you spend. It uses only the figures you type in.
Enter your total investment and earnings per copy to see an estimate.
It depends on the royalty rate. As plain arithmetic, a 10% royalty on $25 is $2.50 a copy, while 70% of $25 is $17.50 before fees. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks.
That is why Defining Moments Press encourages professionals to plan income beyond royalties. Its free course includes a lesson on setting up a $10,000 book launch, and its case study tracks streams of income, not only sales. Compare options in our ranking of publishing companies for new authors or go back to the main guide to publishing your book.
Publishing a book can cost very little or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on how much help you buy. Published figures include Draft2Digital's $20 activation fee for low-earning accounts, professional editing at $2,160 to $5,040 per Reedsy's 2026 cost guide, and hybrid packages from $5,000 to over $80,000 according to Atmosphere Press.
Book coaching prices vary with how much support you get. At Defining Moments Press, the Author Blueprint 8-week program was listed at a single payment of $1,997 on its checkout page, while coached and done-for-you options are discussed on a free discovery call. Ask any coach exactly what is included: calls, editing, design and launch help.
There is no single average, because costs depend on the publishing path. Some self-publishing platforms are free to use, while professional editing alone runs $2,160 to $5,040 according to Reedsy's guide based on over 230,000 quotes. Hybrid publishing typically ranges from $5,000 to over $80,000, per Atmosphere Press. Budget for editing, cover, interior design and launch.
Defining Moments Press states that there are no hidden fees. It is paid a fee for its service, the author keeps all royalties and rights, and authors can order books at cost directly from the provider. Confirm the exact fee and what it includes for your project on the free discovery call before you commit.
It depends on the royalty rate and printing costs. As simple arithmetic, a 10% royalty on a $25 list price is $2.50 per copy, while 70% of $25 is $17.50 before any delivery or platform fees. Writer Cosmos notes self-published authors can keep up to 70% royalties on ebooks. Check the exact rate in your contract or platform terms.
Divide $100,000 by what you earn per copy. At $2.50 per copy you would need 40,000 sales; at $10 per copy, 10,000. For professionals, Defining Moments Press focuses on what the book leads to beyond copies, such as clients, speaking and courses, which is why its published case study lists income streams, not only sales.
Defining Moments Press lists third-party financing options, including personal loans, credit cards and business loans, for its 7-Figure Mentor System, with several applications marked as soft credit pulls. Book a call to ask which payment options apply to the publishing or coaching service you are considering, since each program may be handled differently.
Yes. Defining Moments Press offers a free one-hour course on how to write, publish, market and monetize a book. It lists a retail price of $997, now free, and covers defining your expertise, knowing your reader, self-publishing myths, monetizing your book, getting more clients, and building an outline for your table of contents.
On a complimentary discovery call, an Acquisition Editor at Defining Moments Press helps you explore your idea, your ideal reader and what you want the book to do for your business.
Published by Defining Moments Press
